The United States Department of Defense announced that up to 200 U.S. troops currently stationed in the Middle East will be redeployed to Israel to assist in monitoring and implementing the Gaza ceasefire agreement, according to senior U.S. officials.
The deployment is part of the establishment of a multinational taskforce, known as a Civil-Military Coordination Center, which will be led by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). The initiative aims to oversee compliance with the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and to help coordinate humanitarian assistance in the region.
Officials confirmed that no U.S. troops will enter Gaza, emphasizing that the American mission is to facilitate coordination between the parties and allied forces. The Joint Control Center will “integrate and support” a broader multinational team expected to include personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
Trump will deploy US troops to the Middle East to take custody of Gaza for Israel, breaking his non-interventionist record.
This would put American troops in harm’s way due to Hamas’ active presence in the Strip.
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Multinational Role and Humanitarian Oversight
The taskforce, led by Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, will work closely with regional partners to report developments and address any potential ceasefire violations. Information on ground conditions will be relayed to both Israeli and Hamas representatives through Egypt and Qatar, which have been key mediators in the truce negotiations.
The U.S. move follows President Donald Trump’s announcement on Thursday confirming that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange under Washington’s proposed 20-point Gaza Peace Plan. One key element of the plan calls for an eventual International Stabilisation Force to be deployed in Gaza, contingent on continued progress in the peace process.
The Gaza conflict, which erupted following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children, according to Gaza’s health authorities. The new taskforce represents Washington’s most significant multilateral engagement since the war began, signaling renewed efforts toward regional stability and humanitarian relief.
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